W. Va Awarded $202M For Year 2 Of Rural Health Transformation
Trending
CHARLESTON – For the second year of the federal Rural Health Transformation program, West Virginia is receiving more than $202 million, taking the state for more than $400 million for the five-year program.
“This additional $202 million will help us expand access to care, strengthen rural hospitals, and address the chronic health challenges facing West Virginia,” said Gov. Patrick Morrisey in a statement Monday afternoon. “We’re building a healthcare system that improves health outcomes, brings quality care closer to home, and helps more West Virginians get healthy and return to the workforce.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Monday that $10 billion had been awarded to all 50 states for the second year of the five-year Rural Health Transformation program.
The Rural Health Transformation program was made possible by the Working Families Tax Cut Act, previously known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump.
"President Trump made a historic investment in rural America, and HHS is putting those resources to work in every state," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "This next $10 billion will expand access to care, strengthen the rural health workforce, improve prevention, and help states build solutions that fit the needs of their own communities. We are giving rural America the resources and flexibility to build stronger health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes."
Every year through federal fiscal year 2030, the Rural Health Transformation program will give $100 million minimum to each state. The remaining funding is awarded through a competitive process between the states.
"Rural Americans have life expectancies three years shorter than their urban peers, but President Trump's Rural Health Transformation Program is funding the historic investments necessary to close that gap," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "States have already put these resources to work bringing better care closer to home for their rural communities, and CMS looks forward to helping them build on that progress in the coming year."
According to CMS, West Virginia was awarded its $100 million minimum award, plus an additional $102.1 million, bringing West Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation total award for year two to $202.1 million for 2027. Combined with West Virginia’s year one award of $199.5 million, the state has been awarded $401.6 million for the Rural Health Transformation program.
"Pleased to see HHS announce $202 million in funding for West Virginia through the Rural Health Transformation Program," said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. "This investment wouldn't be possible without the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which we worked hard to secure in the Senate. Thank you to (President Trump) for his continued commitment to ensuring our rural communities have access to the resources they deserve."
In a statement posted to social media Monday, state Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said the increased award for West Virginia in year two of the Rural Health Transformation program showed that federal officials were taking note of the state’s plans.
“That is more than $2.6 million in additional investment in rural healthcare for our state,” Singh said. “I am proud of the work our team has done to move West Virginia forward. Building and implementing a program of this scale requires strong processes, careful review, accountability, and collaboration. It takes people willing to work through complex challenges, strengthen partnerships, and keep moving from planning to action. Our Department of Health and RHTP team has put tremendous effort into that work.”
West Virginia's application outlined seven core initiatives, including establishing a connected care grid by expanding access to in-person and telehealth options, as well as an EMS “treatment-in-place” program to reduce emergency room visits; creating a unified health mobility platform to increase transportation options for residents needing access to care; forming a Mountaineer Care Force to attract and train clinical talent; and implementing Smart Care Catalyst to modernize technology and shift to value-based care.
Additionally, the state's application features a Health to Prosperity Pipeline, linking recovery and employment; a Food as Medicine program for promoting healthy eating and physical fitness for adults and school children; and Health Tech Appalachia, a program to foster economic growth through health care technology innovation.
According to the last update provided to lawmakers in September, out of the $199.5 million awarded for year one of Rural Health Transformation, $182 million had been released and was on track to meet the critical Oct. 30 federal deadline for the obligation of all year-one funds.
Current milestones include the obligation of approximately $30 million across 10 finalized grants. More than 90 awards had been advanced through the CGI case management system in September, up from 70 in August. The state expects to make approximately 150 awards across the entire program. Singh said the RHT program met its goal of executing at least one contract for each of the seven strategic pillars.
“I see the commitment behind the scenes, the attention to detail, and the determination to get this right for the people we serve. This is an opportunity to recognize and thank them,” Singh said. I am grateful to Governor Patrick Morrisey for his leadership, to the Administration and CMS for their continued investment in West Virginia, and to our partners across the state who are helping bring this work to life. Our responsibility is to turn these resources into better access to care, a stronger healthcare workforce, and lasting improvements in the health of our communities.”